Chapter 10 - In the Shadow of the Pipe
Water flooded the cabin at a terrifying speed, rising past Leo’s chest within seconds.
The kittens inside his jacket were scratching his chest raw, fighting for air as the cold water seeped through the zipper seams. Leo gripped Copper’s collar with his left hand, fighting to keep the dog’s head above the swirling, trash-choked surface.
""Hold on, boy,"" Leo gasped, his breath hitching from the sheer cold.
With his right hand, Leo plunged under the freezing water, searching blindly for the dog's trapped hind leg. His fingers found the nylon webbing wrapped tight around Copper's ankle and tangled into the brake pedal armature. The knot was swollen, hardened by the tension of the sinking vehicle.
The car shuddered violently as its hood scraped against the lip of the concrete culvert pipe. Darkness crept into the cabin as the roof slipped beneath the road overhang.
""I can't reach the shears!"" Leo shouted into the void, but the old man’s voice outside was now muffled, swallowed by the roar of rushing runoff.
Leo took a deep breath, submerged his head under the murky water, and used his teeth, tearing at the soaked nylon strap alongside his fingers. The bitter taste of road grime and rusted steel filled his mouth.
Above him, Copper gave a frantic whine.
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Leo wrenched the fabric with all the force in his jaw and hands. The buckle gave way, the strap slipping free from the metal pedal.
Leo surfaced, gasping for air, and thrust Copper toward the open rear door just as the roof of the sedan slammed hard against the top of the culvert rim, wedging the car halfway into the abyss.
